Progress 02/01/08 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience are Maine wild or lowbush blueberry growers. This is a very diverse group of farmers, about 450 in Maine. The Passamaquoddy tribe make up the larget ethnic group among the growers. The wild blueberry growers are an aging segment of the population in Maine and represent a group with a low educational level and one that is not heavily computer literate. Efforts that have been made to reach the target audience involve writing Extension grower factsheets. These are published on the University of Maine Website,http://extension.umaine.edu/blueberries/. In addition, I present 10-14 oral presentations per year in public buildings as well as in growers fields at "twilight meetings" during the growing season. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This project has allowed me to develop skills in microbial ecology. Specifically this project involved with looking at the biological control of human pathogenic micro-organisms that attack the gut. Learning laboratory mcrobiology sterile techniques allowed myself and my graduate student to investigate the role of dung beetles in affecting transmission of E. coli through deer feces. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The results of this project have been disseminated through three oral presentations to blueberry growers and one written Extension Factsheet on dung beetles (in review). My main efforts will be in attempting to produce a change in action by blueberry growers in response to GAP procedures to protect their farm from human pthogen contamination. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The next reporting period will focus on a dedicated Extension/outreach effort to Maine blueberry growers.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
I focused on conserving natural enemies in blueberry production. The objective was concerned with non-pollination ecosystem services rendered in wild blueberry agroecosystems by insects. Predators and scavengers can play a vital role in regulating pest insect and weed populations and are especially important to organic agricultural production. In addition to pest and weed suppression, some arthropods have the ability to degrade vertebrate feces at high rates; in response to foodborne pathogen outbreaks, it is becoming important to examine the role of coprophagous insects in the agricultural arena. These ecosystem services provided within the lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) agroecosystem and surrounding landscape were examined. The objective of this study was to quantify how different pest management strategies and surrounding forest composition interact to drive insect predator and scavenger mediated ecosystem services, and where these services occur, relative to field edges. Sentinel insect pupae, weed seeds, and deer feces were used to explore resource removal in 12 fields and surrounding forest habitat. In addition to the removal study, pitfall trapping and time-lapse, macro-video footage were used to better understand the composition of the arthropod community responsible for providing these services. Significantly more insect predation and fecal scavenging occurs within field interiors than at field edges and adjacent forests, contrary to what was expected. However, the pattern of these interactions varied between repetitions. Seed predation throughout the study was lower relative to pupae and scat. While arthropods were found to be the main predators and scavengers, vertebrates were shown, on rare occasion, to play a significant role in resource removal under certain treatment combinations. Arthropod predators were unevenly distributed with respect to the field/forest edge, with a greater abundance of predators within field centers. The main insect predators accounting for these patterns in predation/scavenging were primarily ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), and dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). In addition, we also conducted laboratory and field projects to show that dung beetles reduce transmission of human pathogenic E. coli from contaminated deer feces to blueberry fruit in the field. Both of these studies resulted in a change of knowledge in Maine blueberry growers. We provided evidence that the natural enemy community in their fields can significantly reduce pests.
Publications
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Jones, M. 2013. Relative Arthropod Predator and Scavenger-Mediated Ecosystem Services Determined by Distance to Field/Forest Interface in the Maine Lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) Agroecosystem. Univ. Maine MS Thesis, Orono, ME 156 pp.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Jones, M. and F. Drummond. 2013. Dung beetles in the Maine wild blueberry landscape. Beneficial Insect Factsheet series. http://umaine.edu/blueberries/factsheets/insects/
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Jones, A., S. Birthisel, R. Jabbour, and F. Drummond. 2013. Ground beetles in the Maine wild blueberry Agroecosystem. Beneficial Insect Factsheet series. http://umaine.edu/blueberries/factsheets/insects/
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The results of Objective 1 (To conserve natural enemies in blueberry production) were disseminated orally to blueberry growers at the annual University of Maine summer blueberry field day and during three grower twilight meetings held in the three major blueberry growing regions in Maine. Documented outcomes include species establishment, natural enemy spread, reduced pest problems and associated effects on other components of the ecosystem as a result of natural enemy releases, potential non-target effects, and increased knowledge about the science biological control. The results of Objective 2 (Evaluate the efficacy of a biocontrol agent, Beauveria bassiana, delivered from bait stations on the infection and mortality of the European fire ant (Myrmica rubra to improve efficacy and cost effectiveness of biological control, and to determine if there was any enduring impact one year post-deployment) were presented at the following meetings: 1) 2011 Maine's Dirty Dozen List and NE Regional Invasive Species Working Group, Maine Invasive Species Network Annual Meeting, Orono, ME, 2) 2011 European fire ant: an unwanted guest in the Maritimes and Maine, Pest Management Canada Annual Meeting, Halifax, NS, April 7, 2011, 3) 2011 Management of the Invasive European Fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Acadia National Park. Groden, E., K. Bernard, and J. Lund. Acadia National Park Science Symposium. Winter Harbor, ME, 4) 2011 Evaluation of a Strategy for Enhancing Natural Mortality of European Fire Ants, M. rubra. Groden, E. and J. Lund. Acadia National Park Science Symposium. Winter Harbor, ME, and 5) 2011 The European Fire Ant, Challenges and Strategies for Management. Levitsky, T. and E. Groden. Dirigo Pines Lecture, Orono, ME. Outcomes included improved future programs based upon new knowledge and reduced need for pest control activities and attendant environmental and economic consequences because of successful biological control programs. PARTICIPANTS: The primary investigators that worked on this project were: Dr. Francis Drummond (School of Biology and Ecology and Cooperative Extension at the University of Maine), Dr. Eleanor Groden (School of Biology and Ecology at the University of Maine), and Dr. David Yarborough (Department of Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences and Cooperative Extension at the University of Maine). In addition, one technician, Ms. Judith Collins and one graduate student, Ms. Beth Choate were also involved in this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences for this project are: 1) Maine blueberry growers (n=454) and Maine homeowners, urban pest management companies, and Acadia National Park land managers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The findings of our research resulted in the following outcomes for objective 1. Investigations into the native natural enemies of insect pests in the lowbush blueberry agroecosystem revealed that ants, spiders, opiliones, and ground beetles are the primary fauna represented. Applications of organophosphate insecticides are the most common factor affecting their diversity and abundances. Of these groups ants and spiders have the most impact on pest insect abundance. Selection of reduced risk insecticides limits deleterious production effects on these valuable predators. Ants also appear to be negatively affected by herbicides. We found a positive relationship between ant abundance and diversity and floral density within blueberry fields. We suspect that this is due to an increased prey base. Less intensive management and selection of less harsh insecticides is a tactic to enhancing natural biological control of insect pests in blueberry fields. A 14-year time series of blueberry maggot fly population abundance and the abundance of its primary native braconid parasitoid (Utetes richmondi (Gahan)) suggests that this parasitoid might be responsible (P = 0.109) for blueberry maggot regulation. This non-significant trend is to be expected even if the blueberry maggot population is strongly regulated by its native parasitoid since a 14-year time series is considered to be a very short temporal scale for providing the power to show statistical evidence for such a phenomenon. However, fly abundance does appear to be governed by the previous year's density, suggesting that either competition or other density-dependent factors such as parasitoids and other natural enemies might be operating to regulate its populations (P=0.004). The findings of our research resulted in the following outcomes for objective 2. Laboratory trials conducted in Spring 2010 demonstrated that the European fire ants were not repelled by and readily crossed areas inoculated with B. bassiana in order to obtain food, and exposed workers were successfully infected. Therefore, in mid June 2010, we deployed food bait stations with the surrounding 1 m diameter area sprayed with a high concentration of B. bassiana conidia at four different sites in Maine as a means of augmenting the pathogen inoculum in the field early in the season. Although ants sampled at the treated sites did not show higher rates of mortality compared with ants at untreated sites when brought into the laboratory, of the ants that died, significantly more individuals from colonies in the augmented sites showed signs of B. bassiana infection than those from other areas (p=0.0015) two weeks after treatment. Ant activity was very variable across sites and between dates. Augmentation of B. bassiana inoculum into European fire ant populations via applying high concentrations of conidia around bait stations baited with a food attractant (sucrose solution) for the ants, did result in higher detected levels of B. bassiana in ant nests 1 year following release. However, after two field seasons, European fire ant activity was not lower at release sites compared with sites in which the pathogen was not released.
Publications
- Alyokhin, A., F.A. Drummond, G. Sewell, and R.A. Storch. 2011. Differential effects of weather and natural enemies on coexisting aphid populations. Environ. Entomol. 40(3): 570-580.
- Choate, B.A. and F.A. Drummond. 2011. Ants as Biological Control Agents in Agricultural Cropping Systems. Terrestrial Arthopod Reviews 4(2): 157-180.
- Choate, B.A. and F.A. Drummond. 2012. Ant diversity and distribution (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) throughout Maine lowbush blueberry fields in Hancock and Washington counties. Environ. Entomol. 41(2): 222-232.
- Choate, B., F. Drummond, and D. Yarborough. 2009. Beneficial Insect Series 1: The Allegheny Mound Ant. Fact Sheet 195, U Maine extension no. 2005. University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Orono, ME. http://wildblueberries.maine.edu/factsheets/Insects/195.html
- Drummond, F, J. Smagula, S. Annis and D. Yarborough. 2009. Organic Wild Blueberry Production. University of Maine Agricul. & Forestry Exper. Stn. Tech. Bull. 852: 43 pp.
- Drummond, F.A. 2012. Blueberry maggot fly. In: Pests of Small Fruits: A Color Handbook. APS Press
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The project is a new project, Assessing Predation Ecosystem Services in Wild Blueberry. Information about the initiation, grower participant selection and objectives of our project has been disseminated to blueberry growers in Maine and small fruit research scientists in the U.S. by: 1) distribution of a written report, 2) an oral presentation to growers and blueberry extension specialists, and 3) a presentation to growers at a summer field day. The written report was submitted to the Wild Blueberry Research Commission of Maine on 3 September, 2011. The Commission is a panel of growers that evaluate blueberry projects in the state of Maine. In addition, two oral presentations were made to growers and extension professionals.The first presentation was made in mid-March at three locations in Maine. The purpose of this presentation was to solicit grower cooperators for the on-farm research. The second oral presentation was given in mid-July and was a summary of the first year's results of the research to growers. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. David Yarborough, the extension blueberry specialist for the state of Maine, was involved in the project by assisting in the selection of grower participants for the research and also he organized the two meetings for the outcome reports. Mr. Matthew Jones is a graduate student who was involved in the design and conduct of the experiment. His involvement of this project provided several opportunities for professional development. These activities involved learning about proper experimental design of field experiments, statistical analysis of data, and presenting scientific results both to grower and scientist audiences. A partner organization involved in our research was the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission and 12 growers who assisted in providing fields for our research. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for this project is limited to Maine wild blueberry growers of whom there are approximately 500. The population group can be defined ethnically as mostly white, but including a small proportion of native americans of the Penobscot Nation and Passamaquoddy tribe. Efforts included, in 2011, grower field day presentations and the annual blueberry school workshops. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: This is the first year of this particular research project and there were no modifications to report.
Impacts
The outcomes at this point of the project (year 1) reflect a change in knowledge. The change in knowledge is that predation of insect pests and weed seeds do not vary according to blueberry pest management system (conventional vs organic) or the makeup of the surrounding forest (deciduous vs coniferous). However, within blueberry fields it was shown that these ecosystem services were greater in the interior of fields and decreased as one moved into the interior of the surrounding forest. Insect pest predation rates were extremely high at 70% whereas weed seed predation was quite low at 10-15%. Since this research was conducted (summer of 2011) there has not been enough time to evaluate change in actions or conditions.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The results of our experiments with the entomopathogen, Beauveria bassiana, for management of the blueberry fly, Rhagoletis mendax, were reported to blueberry growers in Maine at the annual summer Blueberry Research Field Day in July 2010. This meeting was held in Jonesboro, Maine and was attended by more than 200 growers, more than half of the registered growers in the state. The results were also presented at a blueberry research and extension workers meeting in September 2010 in Quebec, QP, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Participants in project: Judith Collins, School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine David Yarborough, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Maine Jennifer Lund, School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine Opportunities for training: I had 2 undergraduate students help on this project TARGET AUDIENCES: target audience: Maine lowbush blueberry growers. Field twilight meetings and the annual field day as well as extension bulletins are aimed at this audience PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The findings of the research determined a specific course of action. The action was to NOT include Mycotrol-O in the control tactics recommendations for blueberry maggot fly.Currently, Mycotol-O is recommended for blueberry flea beetle. However, this is the only pest in lowbush blueberry that is well controlled with Beauveria bassiana.
Publications
- Collins, J. A. and F. A. Drummond. 2010. Soil drench of Mycotrol O for control of blueberry maggot fly, 2009. Arthropod Management Tests, 35 (Electronic Journal). C7.
- Collins, J. A. and F. A. Drummond. 2010. Efficacy of a foliar treatment of Mycotrol O against blueberry maggot over time, 2009. Arthropod Management Tests, 35 (Electronic Journal). L2.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Two oral presentations were made during this reporting period to the target audience. One presentation was at the annual blueberry school. This presentation was designed to acquaint blueberry growers with the biology and ecology of three species of mound ants that are common predators in lowbush blueberry fields in Maine. A second presentation was given at the summer Blueberry Field Day to blueberry growers. This presentation was a report on the potential of the entomopathogen, Beauveria bassiana, to control the blueberry fly. PARTICIPANTS: Ms. Judith Collins is a technician who helped me with the research on the control of the blueberry fly with Beauveria bassiana. Ms. Beth Choate is a PhD candidate who has conducted much of the research with the mound ants under my supervision. Ms. Jennifer Wharff is an undergraduate student who has received professional development opportunities by assisting us in our research. Dr. Andre Francouer at the University of Quebec in Chicoutomi has helped in the determination of ant species that occur in Maine blueberry fields. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for this project is the community of lowbush blueberry growers in Maine and to a lesser extent maritimes Canada. This community is mostly caucasian male, but does include a minority of women and native americans representing the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy tribes. The growers are mostly conventional growers, representing about 65000 acres, but organic growers are a rapidly increasing population with about 800 acres in production presently. One of our efforts have been to produce a new line of extension fact sheets on beneficial insects associated with Maine Blueberry to enhance conservation biological control. The first in the series covers the biology and conservation of native mound ants. We also present workshops during twilight meetings in growers' fields, spring blueberry schools that are held in three blueberry production areas throughout the state, and at the summer blueberry field day which is held at the University of Maine Blueberry Hill Research Farm. This field day allows the growers to visit research plots to view the results of various experiments and demonstration trials. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
A potential change in knowledge might have occurred in the blueberry grower community. This change in knowledge was not ascertained by survey tools or any other investigative approaches, but my plan is to have this as an objective for next year. However, a change in action (see below) suggests that a change in knowledge did occur. The specific knowledge about mound ants that growers would have gained is: the life cycle of mound ants, the impacts of these ants on pest species abundance, the effects of insecticides on the persistence of these ants in the landscape,the beneficial impact that the ants have on soil fertility, and methods to conserve their numbers. The specific knowledge that growers would have gained about using Beauveria bassiana as a control agent for the blueberry fly is: its sensitivity to fungicides and UV radiation and the time it takes to kill a host fly. A change in action that has been documented by some of the organic lowbush blueberry growers is the avoidance of mowing down ant mounds during pruning operations. This has become one of the conservation biocontrol management tactics that has been adopted by some of the 'early adopters' amongst the blueberry grower community.
Publications
- Choate, B., Collins, J. A., and F. A. Drummond. 2008. Impact of high and low toxicity insecticides on Alleghany Mound Ant workers, 2007. Arthropod Management Tests, 33 (Electronic Journal). L2.
- Choate, B., F. Drummond, and D. Yarborough. 2009. Beneficial Insect Series 1: The Allegheny Mound Ant. Fact Sheet 195, U Maine extension no. 2005. University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Orono, ME. http://wildblueberries.maine.edu/factsheets/Insects/195.html
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: There are no results at this point since this project has just been approved. PARTICIPANTS: I have submitted a grant proposal to investigate the biological control of the blueberry maggot fly. The participants in this proposal are the Wild Blueberry Commission, USDA/IR4 program, Dr. Chris Cutler from Department of Environmental Sciences, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, and Laverlam International, producer of Beauveria bassiana formulated as: Mycotrol-O. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for my research on the blueberry maggot fly are the blueberry growers in Maine. There are more than 600 blueberry growers in Maine and the blueberry maggot fly is the most serious pest of lowbush blueberries in Maine and Maritime Canada. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
This project has just been initiated and so there are no results to report from Maine at this point in time.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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